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Ky. Gov. Steve Beshear was in Flemingsburg for the second time in two days Monday afternoon for the official ribbon cutting for the new Kentucky 11.

Spread out over seven projects, improvements on a 25-mile stretch of the state road between Flemingsburg and the Montgomery County line spanned 15 years.

Most of the work on the Bath County stretch, which includes 12 miles that pass by Sharpsburg, Bethel and Sherburne, had long been completed, but the final piece, the four miles just south of Flemingsburg, was finished just a few weeks ago.

Gov. Beshear, who was in Flemingsburg on Sunday afternoon for the formal dedication of the Fleming County Hospital, expects the enhancement of the road to open the door for economic development in the area.

“Today marks the beginning a bright future for Northeastern Kentucky,” he said during a press conference held before the ribbon cutting. “The old, narrow, winding 11 has been blasted in Bath County and Fleming County. Now it is wider, straighter and smoother.

“Progress made across the Commonwealth will open counties to economic development in this region,” he later added.

Bath County Judge-Executive Carolyn Belcher agreed.

“There is room for economic development on 11,” she said. “Now we need to focus on getting water and sewer to the area so that when the opportunity (for development) comes, we are able to meet it.”
With a wider road and adjacent available land, it entices businesses to locate to the area.

“Any time we can open those corridors (between major roads), it is good for us,” she added.

State representative Mike Denham and state senator Walter “Doc” Blevins, both of whom represent Fleming County, were two of many dignitaries on hand for the celebration.

Both agreed that the enhancements to the road would open up the opportunity for more economic development and growth.

“The highway is an economic lifeline for the whole area,” Denham said. “A North-South road is vital economically.”

“This is a very important day for citizens of Fleming County,” Blevins added. “This road will open the door for many other opportunities.”

According to a Department of Highways District 9 release, the total cost of the project was $58 million and included straightening and widening a road that was at one time only 18 feet wide.

In addition to the economic benefits of upgrading the road to make it more accessible to business development, Gov. Beshear was pleased that it would be safer for travel.

“There will be better visibility which leads to greater safety,” he said. “There have been over 70 fewer lives lost on Kentucky Highways than at this time last year. We want to make highway fatalities more rare.”

Kentucky 11 runs from Maysville to Barbourville. Work on other sections of the road is planned.